Intravitreal taurolidine against experimental Staphylococcus epidermidis endophthalmitis in rabbits

PURPOSE: Taurolidine is a broad spectrum, non-antibiotic antimicrobial agent, not previously tested against infectious endophthalmitis. The efficacy of intravitreal taurolidine in the treatment of experimental Staphylococcus epidermidis endophthalmitis was evaluated and compared with vancomycin in a rabbit model. METHODS: The right eyes of 34 albino rabbits were infected with an intravitreal inoculum of S. epidermidis (10(5) colony-forming units/0.1 ml). The right eyes of four rabbits (group 7) were not infected and served as uninfected controls. 24 hours after inoculation of bacteria the animals were divided into the following treatment groups: group 1 (7 rabbits) received intravitreal taurolidine at 24 hours and group 2 (7 rabbits) received at 48 hours. Group 3 (7 rabbits) received vancomycin at 24 hours and group 4 (7 rabbits) at 48 hours. Group 5 (3 rabbits) received polyvinylpyrrolidone at 24 hours and group 6 (3 rabbits) at 48 hours. Clinical scoring was performed at 24, 48 and 72 hours. At 72 hours post inoculation, vitreous samples were collected for quantitative microbiological studies and then, the eyes were enucleated for histopathological scorings. RESULTS: The clinical and histopathological examinations revealed significant amelioration of inflammation in eyes treated with taurolidine and vancomycin when compared with polyvinylpyrrolidone. The eyes treated with taurolidine also had significantly lower colony forming units than the eyes treated with polyvinylpyrrolidone and taurolidine rendered many eyes sterile. CONCLUSION: Taurolidine is expected to be a potential agent for treatment of S. epidermidis endophthalmitis.     

High ligation to treat pain in varicocele

Purpose: There are limited data about the effectiveness of surgery in patients withpainful varicocele. We report a retrospectivestudy done for the follow up on all varicocelehigh ligations performed for pain to evaluatethe effectiveness of the operations.Materials and methods: The patients who were all physically active workers and who underwent high inguinal ligation of varicocelefor pain from January 1995 to January 2000,were invited for interviews. Their charts werereviewed to document patient age, grade andlocation of varicocele, duration and quality ofpain, response to conservative treatment. Allpatients who could be contacted were interviewed for resolution of pain and complications, their physical examinations were made.Results: 87 of 140 (62.1%) patients wereavailable for the follow up. Median patient agewas 26 (15 to 34) years old. The varicocele wason the left side in 82 patients and bilateralin 5. The pain was dull in 42, throbbing in 25,sharp in 6 and as a pulling sensation in 14.The longest conservative therapy given in theliterature failed in all patients. Varicocelegrades were as follows: Grade I in 17, Grade IIin 34 and Grade III in 36 patients. Highinguinal ligation was used in all patients. 72(82.8%) patients reported complete resolution, 8 (9.2%) patients reported partial response, 7(8%) patients had persistant pain.Conclusions: High inguinal ligation iseffective in the treatment of painfulvaricocele in highly selected patients.Prospective randomized studies are neededcomparing surgical and conservativetreatments.     

Epidemiology of Hepatitis B in the Reproductive-Age Female Farmworkers of Southeastern Turkey

Background:

There are limited data on the prevalence of the hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection in the agricultural population worldwide.

Objectives:

This study aimed to determine the prevalence of HBV infection and associated risk factors in the reproductive-age female farmworker.

Materials and Methods:

This cross-sectional study was conducted between January and April 2013 in southeastern region (SAR) of Turkey. A community-based representative agricultural sample (n = 705) from the agricultural areas of nine provinces of SAR was randomly determined by clustering method using Epi Info software. Questionnaires including demographic information and risk factors of HBV were administered to participants. The presence of HBsAg, anti-HBs, anti-HBc, and anti-HBe antibodies in blood samples were measured by ELISA.

Results:

The prevalence of the HBsAg, anti-HBs, anti-HBc, anti-HBe antibodies, and seropositivity were 5.7%, 25.9%, 28.9%, 16.4%, and 36.7%, respectively. There was no association between the HBsAg and the size of the household, age, education level, parity, and place of birth while the prevalence of HBsAg was higher in seasonal migratory farmworkers and people living in urban areas and the prevalence of anti-HBs antibody was significantly higher in women ≥ 35 years of age, those with a high parity, and those who gave birth without the assistance of health professionals (P < 0.05). The risk for HBV infection in the seasonal migratory group was 4.3 times higher in comparison to local workers (P = 0.00; OR = 4.3; 95% CI, 2.2-8.4), with a prevalence rate of 11%.

Conclusions:

The monitoring of at-risk groups like seasonal migratory farmworkers is necessary to strengthen the healthcare service provided to this population.     

The effect of extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy on the rat spinal cord

Study design:Experimental study.Objectives:To determine the effects of extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) on the rat spinal cord.Methods:Animals were randomly divided into three groups. Groups 1 and 2 consisted of five rats each that underwent ESWL (2000 impulses at 15 kV and 2000 impulses at 18 kV, respectively) and group 3 contained five control rats (no shock wave treatment). ESWL-treated and control rats were compared with regard to light and electron microscopic findings of the adjacent spinal cord.Results:Gross neurological outcomes were normal in all groups. Light microscopic examination of group 1 showed extensive extravasation of red blood cells over all the interstitial spaces. Group 2 also had haemorrhagic areas and an irregular organization of axons in the white matter. Transmission electron microscopic examination of group 1 indicated extravasated red blood cells through the endothelium and swollen axoplasm, degenerated mitochondria, destruction of myelin sheaths and a slight increase in the number of lysosomes. Extravasated red blood cells were also seen in group 2. The axoplasmic mitochondria were enlarged, but no sign of mitochondrial degeneration was observed. Lamellar degeneration of myelin sheaths and abundant lysosomes were more predominant in group 2 than in group 1.Conclusion:Extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy caused not only haemorrhage but also damage to neuronal structures except the nucleus. Our findings showed that higher-energy ESWL caused more myelin degeneration in the spinal cord.Spinal Cord (2008) 46, 627-632; doi:10.1038/sc.2008.31; published online 15 April 2008.     

Infragluteal Sulcus: A Combined Histologic and Anatomic Reappraisal

The infragluteal fold is one of the major concerns in reshaping of the gluteal region. This study reevaluated the fold both histologically and anatomically. Five fixed cadavers were used. The infragluteal fold on the right side was explored by dissection, whereas the infragluteal fold of the contralateral side was removed en bloc. Tissue samples (6 cm long × 2 mm thick) were taken at three points from each fold bloc: the most medial point, the middle point, and the most lateral end of the sulcus. Anatomic dissections and histologic examinations showed that the infragluteal fold consists of strong fibrous bands extending from the dermis of the medial one-third of the fold to the ramus of the ischium and sacrum, forming the letter J. The infragluteal fold, which attaches to both the ischium and the sacrum in a continuous fashion, is an anatomic structure in its medial part and only a crease laterally.     

Comparison with the Pan Malaria IgG assays for malaria diagnosis and direct microscopy among suspected malaria patients in Sanliurfa

In this study, we evaluated the usage of the Pan Malaria IgG CELISA test in the diagnosis of malarial infections in Siverek-Sanliurfa, Turkey, where malarial infection is endemic and there are minimal health services available. The Pan Malaria IgG CELISA (Cellabs) test, which uses recombinant antigens and detects exposure to all four forms of malaria (P. falciparum, P. vivax, P. ovale and P. malariae) was used as individuals. Using the consensus microscopy results as the standard, sensitivity of ELISA for detection of any malarial infection in the rural populations was 83%, specificity was 85%. These results show that the performance of ELISA for the detection of any malarial infection is adequate for acute- and post-emergency situations and rural populations when the alternative is just clinical diagnosis.     

DNA damage in children exposed to secondhand cigarette smoke and its association with oxidative stress

Objective

To compare oxidative status, total antioxidant capacity and values of DNA damage in peripheral blood lymphocytes in children exposed to secondhand cigarette smoke with healthy controls.

Design

Analytical, Observational.

Participants

54 children without any chronic diseases, attending the healthy child monitoring polyclinic. These comprised 27 children who had been exposed to passive cigarette smoke and 27 children who had not been exposed to cigarette smoke.

Main Outcome Measures

Urine cotinine levels by the chemiluminescent technique; DNA damage by alkaline comet assay; and total oxidant status (TOS) using a novel automated measurement method.

Results

The mean urine cotinine, TOS, Oxidative Stress Index (OSI) and DNA damage values of the group exposed to cigarette smoke were determined to be at significantly higher level compared to the group not exposed to cigarette smoke (P<0.001). No statistically significant difference was determined in the TAS level between the two groups (P=0.1)

Conclusions

The results showed that TOS levels, OSI index and DNA damage in peripheral blood lymphocytes were significantly higher in children exposed to secondhand cigarette smoke than in those not exposed to secondhand cigarette smoke.     

The effects of merocel and glove finger tampon applications on the nasal septum mucosa of rabbits

OBJECTIVE: The use of tampons after nasal septum surgery is important for both prevention of postoperative bleeding and stabilization of the nasal flaps and the septum. One of the most important factors in achieving rapid postoperative recovery is the choice of the nasal tampon material, among many, to produce minimal damage on the nasal mucosa. In this study, the histopathological effects of the glove finger and merocel tampons, which are commonly used in clinical applications, have been investigated on the nasal mucosa of rabbits. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this study, merocel and glove finger tampons were used for nasal packing in one-sided nasal cavities of 16 adult New Zealand rabbits. The animals were randomized into two groups, each consisting of eight animals. The tampons were removed after 48 hours. RESULTS: Histological examination showed that if the merocel was in a glove finger, it did not create any damage to mucosal integrity and lamina propria. However, in the group where merocel was used directly, the epithelium of the nasal mucosa was shortened and demonstrated loss of cilia and in four of the eight specimens, it was partly from lamina propria. CONCLUSION: It is concluded that the use of merocel in glove finger tampon leads to a lesser degree of damage in the lamina propria, and may facilitate rapid mucosal wound healing postoperatively.     

FcγRIIIa-V/F 158 polymorphism in Turkish children with asthma bronchiale and allergic rhinitis

Fc receptors (FcR) play an important role in immune regulation. This might be linked to the variability in immune response, therefore relating to the pathogenesis of atopic diseases. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the Fc γ RIIIa gene polymorphism in Turkish children with asthma and allergic rhinitis. The study included 364 atopic children (184 bronchial asthma, 180 allergic rhinitis) and 234 healthy subjects as the control group, aged between 5 to 16 years. Patients were recruited from outpatient clinics of allergy and general pediatric care. Plasma IgE concentrations were measured by immunoassays and skin prick test was done in children with atopic diseases. The Fc γ RIIIa gene polymorphism was determined using the polymerase chain reaction method. Distribution of V158V genotype was significantly different among patient groups compared to controls (for asthmatic children OR: 5.33, 95% CI: 2.80–10.23, p < 0.001; for allergic rhinitis OR: 3.25, 95% CI: 1.75–6.07, p = 0.001). Distribution of 158 V allele was significantly different among asthmatic children (OR: 2.20, 95% CI: 1.65–2.92, p < 0.001) and allergic rhinitis patients (OR: 1.77, 95% CI: 1.32–2.35, p < 0.001) compared to healthy controls. Our study shows that the V158V genotype in Fc γ RIIIa gene polymorphism may be a genetic risk factor for the development of atopic diseases.     

Treatment with oxytocin antagonists before embryo transfer may increase implantation rates after IVF

This report aimed to examine the effects of atosiban on pregnancy outcome after IVF–embryo transfer. A prospective, randomized, placebo-controlled clinical study was performed. A total of 180 women undergoing intracytoplasmic sperm injection who had top-quality embryos were randomly allocated into treatment and control groups. All the patients had infertility due to tubal factor, hormonal-anovulatory disorders, male factor or unexplained reasons. The treatment group received intravenous administration of atosiban before embryo transfer with a total administered dose of 37.5 mg. In the control group, the same number of cycles was performed with placebo medication. The clinical pregnancy rate (PR) per cycle and implantation rate (IR) per transfer were 46.7% and 20.4% in the atosiban-treated group, which were significantly higher than in the control group (28.9% and 12.6%, respectively, P = 0.01). The miscarriage rates of groups 1 and 2 were 16.7% and 24.4%, respectively (P = 0.01). These results have indicated that atosiban increases the IR and PR after IVF–embryo transfer. These results suggest that atosiban treatment before embryo transfer is effective in priming of the uterus for implantation. This is the first study to investigate the possible contributions of atosiban for improving the PR after IVF–embryo transfer.